File Photo: NCP chief Sharad Pawar presents a memento to PM Modi during laying of foundation stone for a Centre of Excellence for Vegetable Production in Baramati. (Press Trust of India)
Shiv Sena, which is sharing power with the BJP in Maharashtra, today came down heavily on its ally for backing the no-confidence motion against Legislative Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh and "betraying" the people of the state.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's description of the NCP as the "Naturally Corrupt Party that has looted the people of Maharashtra", the Shiv Sena said that BJP's act of supporting the NCP has shown that there are no permanent friends or foes in politics.
"There were people, who had accused us of being hand in gloves with the Congress for supporting the candidature of Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee to become the President of India. The hands of such people are now looking dirty for joining hands with a corrupt party. It is unfortunate that we have to say this. All this has only resulted in the betrayal of people," Shiv Sena said in its mouthpiece 'Saamna'.
"The same Narendra Modi went to Baramati after the election and said (NCP Chief) Sharad Pawar is my guide. (Shiv Sena MLC) Ramdas Kadam said in the Council that the Sena has been cheated by the BJP," it said.
The differences between Congress and NCP are not new, but BJP should not have meddled into the affairs of both these parties.
"While speaking in the Council, even Shivajirao Deshmukh said that quarrels keep happening between the NCP and Congress, but the BJP should not have interfered," the Shiv Sena said.
While a total of 45 members voted in favour of the no-confidence motion when it was put to vote in the Council on Monday, 22 voted against it. 27 members of the NCP voted in support of the no-confidence motion brought in by the party last week. The motion was also backed by 12 members of the BJP. However, Shiv Sena abstained from voting.
Besides NCP and BJP, one member of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), one member of the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, one member of the Shiv Sangram, besides 3 independents voted in favour of the no-confidence motion.